Livonia Franklin runners sign to compete in college

Franklin's Andrew Ulaszek will run cross country and track at Lawrence Tech next year.(Photo: Laura Ulaszek)

April is a busy month typically full of excitement for high school seniors, since by this time, most have decided which college they will attend in the fall.

Athletes are no different, and three members of the Livonia Franklin cross country and track program have signed to run at the next level.

Andrew Ulaszek will attend Lawrence Tech. He's been running at Franklin since he was a freshman.

"He has become one of our top 800 runners and was one of our top three cross country runners this past season," Franklin coach Pat Koelzer said. "His cross country personal record is under 17:00 and he is working toward a 2:00 800. Andrew is a 4.0 student who embraces a leadership role, especially when assisting newer, younger team members."

Ulaszek had maintained interest in Lawrence Tech due to the school's academics, and meeting the coaches there sealed the deal.

“Originally, I was looking at Lawrence Tech because I want to be a biomedical engineer and I had been recommended Lawrence Tech by my engineering teacher," Ulaszek said. "I started to check out Lawrence Tech along with some other schools, but I was already leaning towards Lawrence Tech because of the curriculum and everything else I had seen/heard about the university. When I went for a college visit, I met the cross coach, talked to him for a while and from then on I was set on Lawrence Tech. I'm excited to run in college because I know I will meet some great people, form some good relationships, stay in shape, and do something I love.”

Erin Seibert has signed with Madonna University. She battled back from a bad ankle sprain to make her fourth appearance at the state meet.

"Erin is a special runner," Franklin girls cross country coach Dave Bjorklund said. "She is highly competitive and an extremely hard worker. In ninth grade she got to run on the team with senior All-Stater Natalie Douglas, and for the next three years she carried the cross country team on her shoulders. She was our leader in workouts and in races, always ready to take on the best runners other teams put out there. She has certainly left her mark on the program at Franklin and will be missed next year."

Franklin's Logan Evanchuk signed to run at Madonna next year.(Photo: Livonia Franklin Athletics)

Logan Evanchuk also will run at Madonna next year.

"I've been lucky enough to coach Logan since eighth grade cross country," Koelzer said. "He has made one of the biggest improvements on the team each year. He is one of the hardest workers and a great leader by example. Logan is a 4-year letter winner, a sub 17:00 cross country runner and a sub 4:50 miler who still has his eyes on a few more goals this season. His leadership and work ethic will be missed."

He said he chose Madonna because it's close to home, has a small campus and has a great criminal justice program.

"I am excited to run in college because mainly it's what I love to do," Evanchuk said. "I can't wait to meet new people and travel different places to run in big meets."

Reach Andrew Vailliencourt at availlienc@hometownlife.com, 810-923-0659 or on Twitter at @AndrewVcourt.